As Olympians, families, girl scout troops and others gathered outside of the visitor center of 1 Olympic Plaza, Mayor John Suthers spoke about the rich history and significance of Olympic Day, dating back to June 23, 1948.

Mayor Suthers then lit the Olympic cauldron commencing Olympic Day activities, including training center tours, Team USA athlete signings and photographs, mock Olympic sport sessions and more.

Paralympian Tyler Carter reflected on what the day means to him.

“I think Olympic Day is really special cause it brings everyone together,” Carter said. “It’s a time that … everyone can come together not just for sport but (for) the spirit of the games.”

Carter was born without a fibula in his right leg so he wears a prosthetic. He’s competed in two Paralympic games – Sochi in 2014 when he was 20 years old and Pyeongchang this year.

“I’d say making two Paralympic teams has been one of the biggest accomplishments for me,” Carter said. “It’s really difficult to make one Olympic or Paralympic games, let alone two … I’m proud of myself and my whole team of support that has helped along the way because it’s really thanks to everyone that has played a role in this that we’ve gone this far.”

Unlike other Paralympic sports, to make the alpine skiing team, athletes have 18 months to hit their margin instead of having a trial determine if they go to the games or not. Carter finds it a little harder because if you don’t hit your mark right away, the pressure to do so looms.

Carter is a 5-foot-10 alpine skier. He learned when he was eight years old. He said the thing he loves most about skiing is the fact that “it’s just you on the hill.”

He said his team plays a huge role in the sport, but once he’s on the course, it’s just him.

“And it doesn’t matter if you have one leg, two legs, no legs, you can see, you can’t see, whatever,” Carter said.

“Everyone’s going down the same course, the same track, the same gates. And it’s really about how you manage that.”

One of the biggest obstacles Carter’s said he’s faced is not growing up with a disability, but learning to ski with it. He said he doesn’t like to think of missing his leg as an obstacle or disability, but learning to adapt, being able to balance each side of the turn, being able to understand the differences between the two legs and how to minimize it has been the hardest part.

He said it’s never going to be perfect, but prosthetists are going to get it as close as possible.

The Topton, Pennsylvania native loves helping others with their obstacles, too. He gives back to the organization that got him started at his first ski camp, the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports.

Carte travels to coach that same ski camp every year.

Carter thanked the Paralympic Games and movement for everything.

“I mean, if I hadn’t gone skiing … if I hadn’t pursued this dream,” Carter said. “Even regardless of making it to the games … It’s changed our lives. I mean, it’s given us something to do. We’ve made connections and friendships and learned so much about ourselves and about the world, that without it I think I’d be deprived of that experience.”